Short answer: Queensland homes need photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms (AS 3786:2014) in every bedroom, connecting hallways and on each level. Rentals and homes sold or leased have faced requirements since 1 January 2022; from 1 January 2027 the rules apply to all remaining homes. Alarms must be under 10 years old, work when tested, and be hardwired or run on a non-removable 10-year battery.
The two dates that matter
| Since / from | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| 1 January 2022 | Rental properties, and homes being sold or leased — the staged rollout most landlords and conveyancers already know. |
| 1 January 2027 | All remaining existing homes. If your place has old standalone alarms, this is your deadline. |
Don't wait for 2027 if you're selling or leasing sooner — those transactions trigger the requirements at the time they happen.
What "compliant" actually means
- Photoelectric type, compliant with AS 3786:2014 — better at detecting smouldering fires, fewer false alarms from the toaster
- Interconnected — when one sounds, they all sound. Wired or wireless interconnection both exist; hardwired is the gold standard
- Power: hardwired to the house, or a non-removable 10-year battery
- Age: under 10 years old, and must operate when tested
Where they must go
- In every bedroom
- In hallways connecting bedrooms to the rest of the home
- On every level, even levels without bedrooms — at least one alarm in the most likely path of travel to the exit
A typical three-bedroom, two-storey home usually needs six to seven alarms. A site visit confirms the exact count for your floor plan.
Hardwired vs 10-year battery
Hardwired interconnected alarms need a licensed electrician and a compliance certificate, but they're the most reliable setup and what we recommend for whole-home compliance. Ten-year battery units suit specific situations (no roof access, single-alarm top-ups), but every unit still needs to meet the photoelectric and interconnection requirements.
Related reading: switchboard upgrades (often done in the same visit), and our smoke alarm compliance service.
Queensland requires photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms compliant with AS 3786:2014 — in every bedroom, in hallways connecting bedrooms, and on each level. Alarms must be under 10 years old, work when tested, and be hardwired or powered by a non-removable 10-year battery.
Rental properties and homes sold or leased have faced requirements since 1 January 2022. From 1 January 2027 the requirements apply to all remaining existing homes. Check current Queensland Government guidance for your property type.
In every bedroom, in hallways that connect bedrooms to the rest of the home, and on every level. If a storey has no bedroom, at least one alarm is required in the most likely path of travel to exit the storey.
Hardwired interconnected alarms must be installed by a licensed electrician, and the work needs a compliance certificate. A 10-year battery alarm can suit some situations, but hardwired interconnection is the gold standard — when one sounds, they all sound.